James Dennis DeKorte

James Dennis DeKorte

December 9, 1942 — January 7, 2022

Central Point, Or. James (Jim) DeKorte passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Friday January 7, 2022 at the age of 79. He was a well-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother & uncle as well as a friend to many.

Jim was born in Burbank, CA to John & Nellie J. DeKorte, the fourth child
in their family of six children. Jim married Carol Joy Southwick in
September of 1965 and together they had two children: Kevin James &
Kimberly Joy. They had a happy and blessed life together for 56 years.

Always a “do-it-yourself” guy and an independent businessman, Jim
became a licensed building contractor in 1970 and spent the next 40 years
designing and building custom homes for clients. Jim and his wife and
family lived in Santa Maria, CA until 1994, when they made an adventurous
move to Sisters, OR., a place that they often visited on vacations and fell
in love with. In 1999, they decided to relocate to to the Central Point
(Rogue Valley area) and continued working in his building business until
retiring around 2015. Jim always enjoyed visiting scenic spots around
California and Oregon in his lifetime & enjoyed finding a fun place to eat or
enjoy a picnic on their day travels.

Jim’s unique since of humor and fun spirit and sayings that made one
“think” with that mischievous “twinkle in his eye” as he said them, will be
things and sayings his friends and family members will always
remember....after all.....”who could forget them?” Jim led a quiet life and loved his work and building homes for others. He also loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church and participating in Bible Studies with friends over the years. Family was also an important aspect of his life. He enjoyed just being with family and friends and getting together for fun occasions, and sometimes he shared that “sage” advice and fun antics he had with others as well. Jim will always be remembered by all he met and got to know, as he was just “Jim” and that was a special part of his individual personality and life.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John & Nelllie DeKorte in 1996, and one brother, Robert, in 1971. He is survived by his wife Carol and son Kevin (Jody) DeKorte, daughter Kimberly (Matt) Samitore and granddaughters Kassidy Samitore and Abby Samitore, along with siblings: Andrew (Willie) DeKorte, Ronald DeKorte, Kathi (Ed) Beacham and Tim (Dolores) DeKorte.

We will all miss Jim and his vibrant fun-loving personality, but know that he is safe and well again with our Lord, after suffering through Parkinson’s and Dementia for several years.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be scheduled in the spring of this year to
celebrate Jim’s life. We look forward to that date to celebrate Jim and look
forward to having family and friends attend and to share their love for Jim.